Being the thoughts and writings of one Gustaf Erikson; father, homeowner, technologist.
I found a link to George Orwell's essay on the perfect cup of tea on Libby's blog.
Reading the essay reminded me of why I drink coffee nearly exclusively nowadays. I don't care much about how my coffee is made -- hot, strong, and with milk, but otherwise I could care less about how it's made. My taste in tea, on the other hand, is so outr�, so outisde teh bounds of aceeptable tea-drinking behaviour, that I can only prepare and enjoy a cup of tea that I've made myself, in a peculiar manner.
I make tea like this: I put a pinch of Lapsang Souchong in a big cup. Then I pour boiling water in the cup. I wait a bit. Then I add milk.
The part about the tea and the water mixing without a strainer or a bag seems to freak people out most, although it's endorsed by Orwell (in a kettle, but nonetheless...). In fact, I only break a few of his "rules" for a nice cup of tea.
I was reminded of all this when we woke up this morning without coffee grounds, and had to make do with instant. Also, something in the neighborhood smells exactly like Lapsang. So I've bought a packet of Twinings Lapsang for the first time in ages. Maybe I can kick to coffee habit, at least at home.